Enhancement of bacterial competitive fitness by apramycin resistance plasmids from non-pathogenic Escherichia coli.

ABSTRACT: The study of antibiotic resistance has in the past focused on organisms that are pathogenic to humans or animals. However, the development of resistance in commensal organisms is of concern because of possible transfer of resistance genes to zoonotic pathogens. Conjugative plasmids are genetic elements capable of such transfer and are traditionally thought to engender a fitness burden on host bacteria. In this study, conjugative apramycin resistance plasmids isolated from newborn calves were characterized. Calves were raised on a farm that had not used apramycin or related aminoglycoside antibiotics for at least 20 months prior to sampling. Of three apramycin resistance plasmids, one was capable of transfer at very high rates and two were found to confer fitness advantages on new Escherich

SUBMITTER: Yates CM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1686191 | biostudies-literature | 2006 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature